Luger, DWM, Imperial, WWI, 1917

[Blind Hog]

The WWI Imperial Lugers are quite interesting. The pre-war and early war time production pieces were beautifully crafted and as the war continued, quality began to slip somewhat.
The 1917 dated Imperial presented here shows some of the craftsmanship lapses, but is still a nice piece. One the features that make Imperial procurement Lugers highly interesting, is that a good many of them bear markings indicating what unit they were issued to.

The one here bears the unit marking on the front grip strap, R.J.R. 267. 3. M.G.K. 25. This translates, Reserve Infantry Regiment 267, 3rd Machinegun Company, weapon #25. This reserve regiment was part of the 81st Reserve Division. It fought on the Western Front in Somme District Jan.-Mar. 1915, then transfered to the Eastern Front until Dec. 1917. Then it was returned to the Western front, where it suffered heavy losses. It remained on the Western Front until the Armistice. This pistol may have served on both "Fronts" of WWI. 2nd and 3rd numbered Machinegun Company marked Lugers are quite rare.

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL68/1624602/6998486/93651053.jpg

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL68/1624602/6998486/93651063.jpg

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL68/1624602/6998486/93650927.jpg

Blind Hog

[DOGolden]

Very nice (as usual). Thanks for posting, and thanks for the history of the Luger as well (one of these days you have just got to bring one to the range for me to shoot). ;)